The future? This way...

Steinbeis supports regional development in Göppingen

District development and economic prosperity, now and in the long run – that’s the goal that the Association for Economic Development (German abbreviation: WiF) Göppingen envisioned for the German district of Göppingen. The result of their efforts is a textbook example of leveraging synergies with the Steinbeis Transfer Network. In keeping with the agency agreement, all WiF employees are also Steinbeis employees. Also on board: the Steinbeis Consulting Center for Regional Growth and Economic Development, which won the tender to assess the district’s economic situation and subsequently worked out an action plan.

Part of the flourishing greater Stuttgart metropolitan area, the district of Göppingen lies conveniently close to the A8 and B10 highways, which also makes it a very business-friendly location. It is home to a variety of traditional manufacturing companies and medium-sized enterprises - many of the latter already global market leaders. The area beckons with attractive countryside and a lively arts program, offering plenty of leisure activities. All the initial hallmarks of a thriving community and an appealing place to work. Yet the rankings and statistics say something else: compared to other regions, Göppingen often comes near the bottom of the list; within the state, it is two thirds of the way down the list. Compared to the whole of Germany, the town is about halfway down the list.

Confronted with these results, district representatives decided to commission consultants to investigate the causes. The findings were intended to shed light on what led to the rankings and opportunities to help the district’s economy grow in the long term. The WiF was charged with managing and supervising the process.

By June 2008, the results were ready. Alexander Fromm from the Steinbeis Consulting Center for Regional Growth and Economic Development presented the district council with the findings of the “Analysis of the Economic Situation in the District of Göppingen and How to Position and Bolster It”. One important point was the recommendation to look further into six separate issues, all with a common denominator: help steer the district – as quickly as possible – towards sustainable growth and change. As a result, the council established one “interdisciplinary task” and five “lighthouse projects”.

The interdisciplinary task revolved around how the district shares information. One, the public should be told more about the district’s positive attributes. Two, communication must detail what the five lighthouse projects are expected to deliver. The twopronged approach would boost awareness of the town and give it a more positive image – crucial, as it was in this area that the district had most catching up to do.

The five lighthouse projects were defined and prioritized:

  1. Focus on innovation and research while developing and managing business clusters
  2. Promote industrial zones and acquire investors
  3. Support education and professional developmen
  4. Promote Göppingen as family-friendly
  5. Attract more tourists to the area

Once actions had been defined and projects proposed, it was time to set up working groups to realize these aims. Taking the suggestions outlined in the review, the groups adapted the ideas to match precisely with the district’s specific needs. The working groups were also able to tap into project groups made up of a high-caliber coordination committee of more than 40 members, all captains of industry, administration, politics and the community. Some committee members also volunteered to mentor the project groups.

During the final session in the summer of 2009, representatives from each working group presented their findings to the coordination committee. When evaluating each report, the committee also considered the priority each project should be given and its impact on the overall development of the district.

All in all, 20 outstanding projects were drawn up and submitted to the district council for review. Regardless of how district politicians choose to implement and finance the projects, the WiF will launch five of them with its own funds. As a result, areas such as innovation management and communications will benefit from twenty-first century insights and help the district of Göppingen look forward to a brighter, more dynamic future.

Contact

Reiner Lohse
WiF – Association for the Economic Development of the District of Göppingen (Göppingen)

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